GSK to switch to third-party distribution of medicines in Kenya

Source: Reuters.

The pharmaceutical major's decision will not affect its consumer healthcare business, Haleon, which produces brands like Panadol and Sensodyne in Nairobi, it said.

The local Business Daily newspaper had earlier reported that the company will close down its production plant in Nairobi.

The manufacturing facility in Kenya - operated by Haleon and GSK, was importing medicines and vaccines whose sales were being handled by its management office - will shut down.

"We will move to a direct distribution model and our operations will be transferred to third-party distributors," GSK said, attributing the decision to periodic reviews of its operations.

The closure of commercial operations will cause some job losses, GSK said, without providing any numbers.